Consider the following organizations/bodies in India : 1. The National Commission for Backward Classes 2. The National Human Rights Commission 3. The National Law Commission 4. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission How many of the above are constitutional bodies?

(a) Only one ✓ UPSC's answer
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four

Why the answer is (a)

• A constitutional body is one created by the Constitution itself; a statutory body is created by an Act of Parliament.

• The National Commission for Backward Classes became a constitutional body under Article 338B through the 102nd Amendment Act, 2018 — item 1 qualifies.

• The National Human Rights Commission is statutory (Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993); the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission is statutory (Consumer Protection Act, 1986/2019).

• The Law Commission of India is neither: it is an executive body constituted by government resolution for fixed terms.

• Hence only one, option (a).

Why the other options are wrong

(b) Only two: Only the NCBC is constitutional; NHRC and NCDRC are statutory.
(c) Only three: The Law Commission is an executive body and the others are statutory.
(d) All four: Three of the four are not constitutional bodies.

Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2023, held on 28 May 2023. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.